All posts by Ken Blair

A rainwater collection systems designer and consultant, Ken has designed and installed residential and commercial systems, primarily in the northwest United States for more than 10 years and, in 2014, began consulting and managing builds in other states. Ken is an accredited ARCSA Professional Designer / Installer and Life Member, the Northwest Regional ARCSA representative and advisor to its education committee and is available to speak about Rainwater Collection Systems design and builds. Ken is a United States Navy veteran, having served on active duty during the Vietnam War era. A career entrepreneur, Ken created a new business focus with a commercial dive company in Hawaii in the mid 1980′s to respond to and clean up oil spills, oil spill equipment training, service and maintenance for the oil co-op service industry. Ken is passionate about having a positive impact on the environment and is also a founding director of BANK-ON-RAIN (2011-2014), whose mission is to create grassroots solutions for rainwater collection for consumption and agriculture in developing areas of the planet.
Rainwater Catchment, Sustainability

Helping Future Rainwater Harvesting Engineer

Completed trussesFuture Rainwater Harvesting Engineer Seeks Help from RainBank

Seattle based RainBank Rainwater Systems receives many requests for information. Some questions come from homeowners building residential systems, others from architects, general contractors and engineers who may be interested in a commercial system design for toilet flushing or irrigation.

Recently we received an inquiry from a high school student in New Jersey interested in rainwater harvesting for a school project on water conservation. He was well prepared with a budget, total square foot of collection area, a plan of usage and most importantly, interest!

Hoping to harness his enthusiasm, Chad Lindsly, RainBank Engineering,  worked with the student on this theoretical design with demand/supply calculations, collection/storage coefficients, conveyance, filtration, costs and return on investments, all through email. He actually instructed the student on how to design a system, while meeting the scope of his school project. Between them, Chad and the student designed a sustainable, cost effective rainwater system that fell within the parameters of the school project’s criteria. The student is turning in his work today and we wish him the best.

RainBank Rainwater Systems has always been at the forefront of the advancement of conservation and sustainability education. Chad continues the tradition by paying it forward and taking the time to engage with a potential  future engineer. 

Rainwater Catchment

Building a Potable Rainwater Collection System

sun-11129_640There are several stages to building a successful, potable rainwater collection system. Here is an article originally published in June 2014, under the title Ultraviolet Light Disinfection For Rainwater Harvesting. (Also see “How to Build a Rainwater Collection System, parts one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight.)

The final stage of treatment for a potable rainwater collection system is ultraviolet light disinfection (UV). Effectiveness of the UV system is determined by a few factors.  First, pre-filtration, which includes a sediment filter and a carbon filter that need to be upstream of the UV. This will help ensure the clarity of water entering the UV chamber, enabling the UV rays to penetrate the water stream.

When UV energy is absorbed by the reproductive mechanisms of bacteria and viruses, the genetic material is “rearranged” and can no longer reproduce, with risk of disease eliminated.

There are 2 classifications of UV light determined by the dosage of the UV light itself, and a class “A” UV is the only class recommended for disinfection of rainwater collected from a rooftop.

The American Water Works Association describes a class A ultraviolet system as an effective method of disinfection for water that is not determined safe to drink. A class B ultraviolet system is only effective for water already deemed safe to drink – such as a water source already treated with chlorine.

An alarm and or solenoid valve for system fail safe is always a good idea to include with your UV system. This method will shut down the system or sound an alarm if a sensor determines the water turbidity (clarity) is not sufficient for proper UV absorption.

Ultraviolet light is a natural, cost effective environmentally safe method of disinfecting drinking water as long as it is properly maintained and the bulb is changed according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

As always, before you take on a rainwater harvesting project, know the rules in your state, county and municipality. It helps to work with a RWC pro who can help you through the process, saving you time and money along the way, while also ensuring that the result is a functioning and safe water collection system that will serve you for many years.

Uncategorized

Reflections on Memorial Day

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sunset-at-the-vietnam-memorial

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.” – President Harry S. Truman